Connecting element and transmitter housing with connecting element inserted therein

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a connecting element for electrical connecting two electrical modules arranged in a transmitter housing of a field device, into which transmitter housing the connecting element is insertable, the connecting element including: at least two essentially rod-shaped metal conductor elements, each with two opposing end sections, wherein the conductor elements are arranged in a defined separation relative to one another; and surrounding the conductor elements and electrically insulating them from one another, a multi-membered insulating body including two insulating body end segments of at least a first synthetic material and an insulating body intermediate segment of a second synthetic material different from the first synthetic material, wherein the first synthetic material has a modulus of elasticity greater than a modulus of elasticity of the second synthetic material.

The invention relates to a connecting element for electrical connectingof two electrical modules, which are arranged in a transmitter housingof a field device of automation technology, into which the connectingelement is insertable. The connecting element includes metal conductorelements and an insulating body surrounding the conductor elements. Theinvention relates, furthermore, to a transmitter housing having aconnecting element of the invention inserted therein, as well as to amethod for manufacturing the connecting element of the invention.

In automation technology, field devices are applied for determiningand/or monitoring process variables. Referred to as field devices in thecase of the present invention are, in principle, all measuring devices,which are applied near to the process and which deliver, or process,process relevant information. Involved, for example, are fill-levelmeasuring devices, flow measuring devices, pressure- and temperaturemeasuring devices, pH-redox potential measuring devices, conductivitymeasuring devices, etc., which register the corresponding processvariables, fill level, flow, pressure, temperature, pH value, andconductivity. Such field devices are manufactured and sold in variousembodiments by the E+H group of companies.

Field devices include, in such case, a transmitter unit arranged in atransmitter housing of the field device. The transmitter unit includes,as a rule, an evaluation unit comprising a first electrical module aswell as a connection unit comprising a second module. The evaluationunit serves for producing an electrical signal, such as, for example, avoltage and/or an electrical current, representing the process variable.The connection unit serves for connecting external supply lines, forexample, for energy supply of the field device and/or for forwarding theelectrical signals produced by the evaluation unit.

Such field devices, which are also to be operated in explosionendangered regions, must, moreover, also satisfy very high safetyrequirements as regards explosion protection. In such case, of concern,especially, is safey to prevent the forming of sparks or at least toassure that a sparking arisen in the case of malfunction has no effectson the environment. For this, corresponding standards are defined inassociated protection classes. In the protection class named “intrinsicsafety” (Ex-i), explosion protection is achieved by making the valuesfor electrical variables (electrical current, voltage, power) at alltimes, in each case, below predetermined limit values, in order that noignition sparks are produced in the case of malfunction. In theadditional protection class named “increased safety” (Ex-e), theexplosion protection is achieved by making the spatial distances betweentwo different electrical potentials sufficiently large that a sparkformation in the case of malfunction cannot occur due to the distance.

In a large number of cases, it is desired to arrange the first andsecond modules spatially isolated from one another in the transmitterhousing. For example, the above-mentioned protection classes requirethis for explosion protection. On the other hand, for the spatialisolation, for example, the electronics unit can be accommodated in anelectronics compartment and the connection unit in a connection spaceseparated therefrom by a partition. In this way, the first moduleaccommodated in the electronics compartment is protected againstintentional or unintended manipulations, especially contacts, in case aline or cable is connected to the second module accommodated in theconnection space. Because of the spatial isolation, additionally, theconnection space can also be opened under environmental conditions (forexample, in the case of high humidity or in the case of precipitation)critical for the first module arranged in the electronics compartment,in which case the first module remains protected.

Needed for electrical connection (also, feedthrough) of the modulesseparated from one another spatially by a partition, protruding throughthe partition, is a connecting element, which has conductor elements andinsulating material surrounding the conductor elements. Disclosed in DE10 2012 108 415 A1, for example, is an interface between a sensor unitand an explosion resistant housing. The interface serves as a connectingelement. European patent application EP 1 130 363 A1 discloses a flameproof connecting element. Disadvantageous in the connecting elementsdisclosed in the state of the art is that such have projecting contactpins, which are, in principle, sensitive to contacts, since they can bebent, for example, in the case of opening the connection space.

Therefore, it is advantageous to embed the conductor elements in aninsulating body essentially determining the shape of the connectingelement in such a manner that opposite end sections of the conductorelements are contactable by means of passageways in the insulating body.In the case of the embodiment of the insulating body, especially thechoice of the insulating material, the following problematic is present.Thus, on the one hand, high requirements for form stability are placedon the insulating body. Due to their high modulus of elasticity, ceramicmaterials, for example, are excellently suited as material for theinsulating body. On the other hand, high mechanical loadings can occur,for example, caused by large torques in the case of the assembly and/orin the case of working in the opened connection space in the region ofthe partition between the connection space and the electronicscompartment. In such case, for example, in the region of a partition,the low tensile strength and the brittle fracture behavior of ceramicmaterials prove to be problems.

Additionally, it can be required that the insulating body be suitablefor sealing the connection space and the electronics compartment fromone another in the region of a partition; for this, an insulating bodywith a very low modulus of elasticity is required. The connectingelements known from the state of the art with homogeneous insulatingbodies, and insulations, cannot fulfill these different and partiallyopposing requirements for the insulating body.

An object of the invention is to provide a connecting element with aninsulating body, which enables a safe and stable electrical connectionof two electrical modules.

The object is achieved by a connecting element for electrical connectingof two electrical modules, which are arranged in a transmitter housingof a field device of automation technology, into which transmitterhousing the connecting element is insertable. The connecting elementincludes at least two essentially rod-shaped metal conductor elements.Of course, the connecting element can also contain a larger number ofsuch conductor elements (for example, four or eight). Each of therod-shaped conductor elements has, in such case, two opposite endsections. The conductor elements are arranged in a defined separationrelative to one another, especially they extend in parallel with oneanother. The connecting element includes a multi-membered insulatingbody, which surrounds the conductor elements and electrically insulatesthem from one another.

According to the invention, the insulating body is formed of twoinsulating body end segments of at least a first synthetic material andan insulating body intermediate segment of a second synthetic materialdifferent from the first synthetic material. The insulating bodyintermediate segment is arranged in a longitudinal direction of themulti-membered insulating body between the insulating body end segments.Passageways are formed in the insulating body end segments inintermediate segment far, end regions (ER) of the insulating body endsegments in such a manner that contact areas on end sections of theconductor elements are electrically contactable by means of thepassageways. The first synthetic material has a modulus of elasticity,which is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the second syntheticmaterial.

Advantages of the connecting element of the invention include thefollowing:

-   -   The conductor elements of the connecting element of the        invention are advantageously completely embedded in the        insulating body. The connecting elements thus have no contact        pins projecting from the insulating body. Instead of that, the        contact areas of the end sections of the conductor elements can        be electrically contacted by means of the passageways in the        insulating body intermediate segment far, end regions of the        insulating body end segments. In such case, a separate        passageway can be provided for each end section of each        conductor element. Alternatively, also two or more or all end        sections, which are arranged at the same end region of the        insulating body end segment, can be contactable via one, shared        passageway.    -   The insulating body of the connecting element of the invention        is, on the one hand, form retaining, since the first synthetic        material for the insulating body end segments has a high modulus        of elasticity, especially a modulus of elasticity greater than        that of the second synthetic material. The stability of the        insulating body end segments is, consequently, not degraded by        the passageways in the end region.    -   On the other hand, the insulating body has in its intermediate        segment the second, elastic, synthetic material, which can be        deformed more easily under the influence of mechanical stresses.        Because of the multi-membered insulating body, the connecting        element can be inserted into a transmitter housing in such a        manner that the insulating body intermediate segment is located,        for example, in the region of a partition. The second synthetic        material with the low modulus of elasticity is suited, in such        case, excellently as a sealing element, with which, for example,        an electronics compartment and a connection space, which are        insulated/isolated from one another by the partition, are sealed        liquid tightly from one another.    -   The stability of the total connecting element is, in such case,        supplementally reinforced by the rod-shaped conductor elements        arranged essentially in parallel with one another, which are        advantageously all arranged in parallel with the longitudinal        direction of the insulating body.    -   The two mutually differing synthetic materials of the        multi-membered insulating body can be injected around the        conductor elements in a two component, injection molding method.        In this way, the connecting element of the invention is        especially easily manufacturable. In given cases, the two        insulating body end segments can be connected with one another        by a web, or by one or more frameworks, of the first synthetic        material.

Especially, the first insulating body end segment surrounds all first ofthe two end sections of the conductor elements arranged especiallyessentially in parallel with one another, while the second insulatingbody end segment surrounds all second, first end section opposite, endsections of the conductor elements arranged especially essentially inparallel with one another. In this way, the longitudinal direction ofthe insulating body defined through the segments (i.e. insulating bodyend segments and insulating body intermediate segment) is also inparallel with all conductor elements arranged essentially in parallelwith one another.

In an embodiment, the modulus of elasticity of the first syntheticmaterial is greater by at least a factor of 5 than the modulus ofelasticity of the second synthetic material. For example, the modulus ofelasticity of the second synthetic material is less than 0.3 GPa (GigaPascal), while the modulus of elasticity of the first synthetic materialis greater than 1.5 GPa.

In an embodiment, the modulus of elasticity of the first syntheticmaterial is greater by at least a factor of 10 than the modulus ofelasticity of the second synthetic material.

In an embodiment, the two insulating body end segments are of the same,first synthetic material.

In an embodiment, the first synthetic material comprises a polyamideand/or a polyimide.

In an embodiment, the second synthetic material comprises an elastomer.Especially, it is a thermoplastic elastomer.

In an embodiment, the conductor elements are formed of an alloy at leastcontaining brass and/or copper.

In an embodiment, the end sections of the conductor elements are coatedwith a corrosion protection layer. Especially, the corrosion protectionlayer is gold.

There are, in such case, no limitations for the cross section of therod-shaped conductor elements: they can be rectangularly shaped,especially square, however, also round, especially circular or oval orelliptical. The rod-shaped conductor elements can be embodied asessentially rigid conductor elements. This increases the stability ofthe connecting elements.

In an embodiment, the rod-shaped conductor elements are all of equallength and same cross section.

In an embodiment, the cross section is rectangular with a height andwidth, wherein the width amounts to at least 1.5 times the height andthe length is at least 10 times the height.

In an embodiment, the height amounts to at least 0.5 mm, the width to atleast 1 mm and the length to at least 10 mm.

The connecting element can, in given cases, supplementally conform toone of the aforementioned standards (Ex-i and/or Ex-e), especiallyrelative to the separation, the alloy, the length, width and/or heightof the conductor elements, and/or relative to the first and secondsynthetic materials of the insulating body.

In an embodiment, the conductor elements are bent at at least one oftheir end sections, especially with a right angle.

In an embodiment, the conductor elements are bent at all end sections,which are arranged in the same insulating body end segment, i.e. all endsections arranged on an end region of the insulating body are bent.

In an embodiment, all end sections are bent.

The embodiment of a passageway formed in an end region for contactingthe contact area of an end section is adapted as a function of whetherthe one or more end sections are bent or not. In the case of a bent endsection, especially at a right angle, the plane of the contact area onthe end section is no longer in parallel with the longitudinaldirection, but, instead, especially essentially perpendicular to thelongitudinal direction. In such case, the contact area is contactablevia a passageway, which extends in a direction parallel to thelongitudinal direction. In the case of an unbent end section, the planeof the contact area extends in parallel with the longitudinal direction.In such case, the contact area is contactable via a passageway, whichextends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Forthe case, in which the contact area is located on bent end sections, itis advantageous that the bent section of the end section is about aslong as the width of the conductor element and especially deviates by nomore than 20% of the width of the conductor element. In the case of bentconductor elements, the contact areas are located on the bent section.

In an embodiment, the insulating body intermediate segment has in thelongitudinal direction a lesser length than each of the insulating bodyend segments. Especially, each of the insulating body end segments is atleast 20% longer than the insulating body intermediate segment.

In an embodiment, the insulating body has in a direction perpendicularto the longitudinal direction a greater dimension than the height of theconductor elements. Especially, the dimension of the insulating body isgreater at least by a factor of 2.

In an embodiment, the insulating body intermediate segment has in adirection perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the insulatingbody a greater dimension than the insulating body end segments,preferably than a region of the insulating body end segments adjoiningthe insulating body intermediate segment.

Regarding the transmitter housing, the object is achieved by atransmitter housing of a field device of automation technology. A firstof the two modules is arranged in an electronics compartment of thetransmitter housing and the second of the two modules is in a connectionspace of the transmitter housing. The electronics compartment and theconnection space are separated from one another by a partition of thetransmitter housing, wherein the partition contains a window.Insertable, especially reversibly, into the window is a connectingelement, wherein a connecting element of the invention is inserted intothe window. The connecting element inserted into the window is embodiedto connect the first and second modules electrically with one another.

In an embodiment of the transmitter housing, the connecting element isinserted in such a manner into the window that the longitudinaldirection of the insulating body is arranged essentially perpendicularlyto the partition, wherein the insulating body intermediate segment ofthe inserted connecting element is embodied to seal the electronicscompartment and the connection space liquid tightly from one another.The insulating body intermediate segment serves, thus, as a sealingelement for the partition interrupted by the window.

In an embodiment of the transmitter housing of the invention, the windowand the connecting element are embodied in such a manner that theconnecting element is insertable into a defined inserted position in thewindow, or that the connecting element is insertable into the window inat least two defined, inserted positions, which are preferably symmetricrelative to one another, wherein the two inserted positions lead to thesame electrical connection of the two electrical modules. The symmetryis, for example, a mirror symmetry, whose symmetry axis extendsespecially in parallel with the longitudinal direction. In this way, theinsertion of the connecting element into the transmitter housing isespecially easy, and the connecting element cannot be incorrectlyinserted.

In an advantageous embodiment of the transmitter housing of theinvention, a first printed circuit board with the first module arrangedthereon is arranged in the electronics compartment and a second printedcircuit board with the second module arranged thereon is arranged in theconnection space. Arranged on the first printed circuit board and thesecond printed circuit board are spring contact pins. Especially, thespring contact pins are soldered on. The connecting element insertedinto the window is embodied to press with its contact areas on thespring contact pins in such a manner that the end sections surrounded bythe first of the two insulating body end segments are electricallyconnected with the spring contact pins arranged on the first printedcircuit board, and the end sections surrounded by the second of the twoinsulating body end segments are electrically connected with the springcontact pins arranged on the second printed circuit board.

In an embodiment, the passageways have a depth, which, in each case, isadapted in such a manner to the spring contact pins that the springcontact pins, in each case, protrude in with a large part of theirlength, especially essentially completely, into the end regions of theinsulating body end segments. Referred to as length of the springcontact pins is, in such case, the expansion, which extends in aperpendicular direction of the printed circuit board, on which thespring contact pins are mounted. In this way, an especially space savingarrangement is achieved.

Regarding the method, the object is achieved by a method formanufacturing a connecting element of the invention, comprising steps asfollows: prefabricating the conductor elements; and embedding theconductor elements in the insulating body by means of at least oneinjection molding method.

In an embodiment of the method, in a first injection molding method, thetwo insulating body end segments are injection molded around theconductor elements and, in a second injection molding method, especiallylater in time than the first injection molding method, the insulatingbody intermediate segment is injection molded around the conductorelements. In this way, the insulating body intermediate segment isinjection molded between the insulating body end segments.

The invention will now be explained in greater detail based on theappended drawing, wherein equal reference characters refer to equalfeatures; when perspicuity requires or it otherwise appears sensible,already presented reference characters are omitted in subsequentfigures. The figures of the drawing show as follows:

FIG. 1 an exploded view of the connecting element of the invention;

FIGS. 2a,b perspective views of embodiments of connecting elements ofthe invention;

FIG. 3 a transmitter housing and a connecting element of the inventioninserted therein; and

FIG. 4 a method for manufacturing the connecting element.

FIG. 1 shows in an exploded view an embodiment of the connecting elementof the invention 1 having a first rod-shaped conductor element 2 and asecond rod-shaped conductor element 3. The two conductor elements arearranged in parallel with one another, with a separation Se, and haveequal lengths CL, equal heights CH and equal widths CW. The conductorelements 2,3 are shown in the exploded view separated into two parts.They are, however, of course, continuous and are, in each case, asingle, rod-shaped conductor element 2,3.

The first conductor element 2 includes a first end section 21, which isbent 90-degrees, and, opposite the first end section 21, a second endsection 22, which is not bent. Also, the second conductor element 3includes a first end section 31, which is bent 90-degrees and, oppositethe first end section 31, a second end section 32, which is not bent. Onthe end sections 21,22,31,32 are located contact areas KA, which areprovided for electrical connection. In the case of the bent conductorelements 2,3, contact areas KA are located on the bent sections.

The conductor elements are surrounded by an insulating body 4multi-membered in its longitudinal direction IL with a number ofinsulating body segments 40,41,42. The longitudinal direction ILextends, in such case, essentially in parallel with the longitudinaldirection of the rod-shaped conductor elements 2,3. The multi-memberedinsulating body 4 is composed in its longitudinal direction IL of: afirst insulating body end segment 40 of a first synthetic material S1having a first modulus of elasticity E1, an insulating body intermediatesegment 41 of a second synthetic material S2 with a 10 times lowermodulus of elasticity E2, and a second insulating body end segment 42,again, of the first synthetic material S1. The contact areas KA of theconductor elements 2,3 are contactable by means of passageways401,402,421,422 formed in the molding of the insulating body endsegments 40,42. In such case, such as shown here, a separate passageway401,402,421,422 can be provided for each end section 31,21, 22,32 ofeach conductor element 2,3.

Alternatively, there can also be provided on each of the two end regionsER of the insulating body end segments 40,42 only single passageways401,421, by means of which all contact areas KA of all conductorelements 2,3 are contactable. Another option provides that thepassageways 401,402 have at least one common section. Such is shown inFIGS. 2a and 2b , in which other examples of embodiments of theconnecting element 1 are shown in perspective view.

As also already present in the case shown in FIG. 1, in FIG. 2a , allend sections 21,31 of the conductor elements 2,3 are bent, which arearranged at the end region ER of the first insulating body end segment40 and the insulating body end segment 40 surrounds them there. All endsections 22,32, which are arranged at the end region ER of the secondinsulating body end segment 42 and which are surrounded there by thesecond insulating body end segment 42, are, in contrast, not bent.Therefore, the passageway 421 extends here (compare FIG. 1) in adirection perpendicular to the longitudinal direction IL.

In contrast with the example of an embodiment of FIG. 1, the contactareas KA are contactable here by means of sectionally shared passageways401, 421 for all end sections 21, 22; 31,32 arranged at the end regionsER. Especially for the case, in which a plurality of conductor elements2,3 (in one case, eight) are provided, it can be advantageous to provideat each of the two end regions ER only one shared passageway 401,421 orapassageway 401,421 having a shared section.

An example of an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 2a is shown in FIG.2b , wherein, in such case, all end sections 21,22,31,32 are bent.Therefore, the two passageways 401,402 extend in a direction parallel tothe longitudinal direction IL. Of course, it is also possible within thescope of the invention that only a selection of end sections 21 of theconductor elements 2,3 are contactable via one, shared passageway 401,while another selection of end sections 31 are contactable via anothershared passageway 402.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a transmitter housing 7 of theinvention with a connecting element 1 inserted in a window 74. Thetransmitter housing includes a connection space 72 and an electronicscompartment 71 separated therefrom by a partition 73. Soldered in theelectronics compartment 71 to a first printed circuit board 81 arespring contact pins KP (also referred to as “pogo pins”) known per sefrom the state of the art. Also soldered in connection space 72 to asecond printed circuit board 82 are other spring contact pins KP. Theconnecting element 1 in this embodiment is embodied similarly to that ofthe example of an embodiment shown in FIG. 2b , namely with conductorelements 2,3, which are bent on all end sections 21,22,31,32.

The spring contact pins KP extend in this embodiment advantageouslycompletely into the passageways 401,402 of the insulating body endsegments 40,42 and are in electrically conductive connection with thecontact areas KA (here not shown). In this way, the connecting element 1of the invention provides, on the one hand, the electrical connection ofthe two electrical modules 61,62 (not shown), which are arranged on thefirst printed circuit board 81 and the second printed circuit board 82,respectively. On the other hand, the insulating body intermediatesegment 41 of the insulating body 4 liquid-tightly seals the electronicscompartment 71 and the connection space 72 from one another.

The insulating body intermediate segment 41 serves, thus, simultaneouslyas a sealing element for the partition 73 interrupted by the window 74.Such is advantageously achieved by the comparatively low modulus ofelasticity E2 of insulating body intermediate segment 41 (here anelastomer). Additionally, the insulating body intermediate segment 41 islarger in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction IL ofthe insulating body 4 than the insulating body end segments 40,42. Inthis way, an optimal sealing is achieved, since in the inserting of theconnecting element 1, on the one hand, larger stresses act on theinsulating body intermediate segment 41 and this, on the other hand, canbe deformed more easily than the insulating body end segments 40,42,because of the lower modulus of elasticity E2

FIG. 4 shows a method for manufacturing the connecting element 1 of theinvention, which is also shown in FIG. 2b . First, the conductorelements 2,3 (four shown) are prefabricated; this includes also theapplying of the corrosion protection layer of gold on the end sections21,22,31,32. Then, the insulating body end segments 40,42 are injectionmolded around the conductor elements 2,3 in a first step of a twocomponent, injection molding method. In such case, insulating body endsegments 40,42 are connected with one another via a narrow web. In asecond step of the two component, injection molding method, theinsulating body intermediate segment 41 is injection molded around theconductor elements 2,3 between the insulating body end segments 40,42.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS AND SYMBOLS

-   1 connecting element-   2,3 conductor elements-   21,22,31,32 end sections-   4 insulating body-   40,42 insulating body end segments-   401,402,421,422 passageways of the insulating body end segments-   41 insulating body intermediate segment-   61,62 modules-   7 transmitter housing-   71 electronics compartment-   72 connection space-   73 partition-   74 window-   81,82 printed circuit boards-   S1,S2 synthetic materials-   E1,E2 elasticity moduli-   IL longitudinal direction-   Se separation-   ER end region-   CL length of the conductor elements-   CH height of the conductor elements-   CW width of the conductor elements-   KA contact areas-   KP spring contact pins

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A connecting element for electrical connecting of two electrical modules disposed within a transmitter housing of a field device of automation technology into which transmitter housing the connecting element is insertable, the connecting element comprising: at least two substantially rod-shaped metal conductor elements, each with two opposing end sections, the conductor elements arranged at a defined separation relative to one another; and a multi-membered insulating body surrounding the conductor elements and electrically insulating them from one another, the multi-membered insulating body including two insulating body end segments of at least a first synthetic material and an insulating body intermediate segment of a second synthetic material different from the first synthetic material, wherein the intermediate segment is arranged in a longitudinal direction of the insulating body between the end segments, wherein the insulating body further includes passageways formed through end regions of the end segments of the insulating body such that contact areas on respective end sections of the at least two conductor elements are electrically contactable via the passageways, and wherein the first synthetic material has a modulus of elasticity that is greater than a modulus of elasticity of the second synthetic material.
 17. The connecting element of claim 16, wherein the modulus of elasticity of the first synthetic material is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the second synthetic material by at least a factor of
 5. 18. The connecting element of claim 16, wherein the first synthetic material includes a polyamide and/or a polyimide, and wherein the second synthetic material includes an elastomer.
 19. The connecting element of claim 16, wherein the conductor elements are an alloy at least including brass and/or copper, and wherein the end sections of the conductor elements are coated with a corrosion protection layer.
 20. The connecting element of claim 19, wherein the a corrosion protection layer is gold.
 21. The connecting element of claim 16, wherein: the conductor elements are all of equal length and same cross-section having a height and a width; the width is at least 1.5 times the height, and the length is at least 10 times the height; and the height is at least 0.5 millimeters (mm), the width is at least 1 mm, and the length is at least 10 mm.
 22. The connecting element of claim 16, wherein each conductor element is bent at an angle at or near at least one of its end sections.
 23. The connecting element of claim 16, wherein the insulating body intermediate segment has a lesser length than each of the insulating body end segments in the longitudinal direction of the insulating body.
 24. The connecting element of claim 16, wherein the insulating body has a greater dimension in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the insulating body than the height of the conductor elements by at least by a factor of 2, and wherein the insulating body intermediate segment has a greater dimension than the insulating body end segments in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the insulating body.
 25. A transmitter housing for a field device of automation technology, the housing comprising: an electronics compartment in which a first module is disposed; and a connection space in which a second module is disposed, wherein the electronics compartment and the connection space are separated from one another by a partition, the partition including a window configured to enable a connecting element to be reversibly inserted therein, wherein the connecting element includes: at least two substantially rod-shaped metal conductor elements, each with two opposing end sections, the conductor elements arranged at a defined separation relative to one another; and a multi-membered insulating body surrounding the conductor elements and electrically insulating them from one another, the multi-membered insulating body including a first insulating body end segment and a second insulating body end segment of at least a first synthetic material and including an insulating body intermediate segment of a second synthetic material different from the first synthetic material, wherein the intermediate segment is arranged in a longitudinal direction of the insulating body between the end segments, wherein the insulating body further includes passageways formed through end regions of the end segments of the insulating body such that contact areas on respective end sections of the at least two conductor elements are electrically contactable via the passageways, and wherein the first synthetic material has a modulus of elasticity that is greater than a modulus of elasticity of the second synthetic material, and wherein the connecting element is inserted into the window, the connecting element configured to electrically connect the first module and the second module with one another.
 26. The transmitter housing of claim 25, wherein the connecting element is inserted into the window such that the longitudinal direction of the insulating body is arranged essentially perpendicularly to the partition, and wherein the insulating body intermediate segment of the connecting element is configured to seal the electronics compartment and the connection space from one another in a liquid-tight manner.
 27. The transmitter housing of claim 25, wherein the window and the connecting element are configured such that the connecting element is insertable into a defined inserted position in the window or such that the connecting element is insertable into the window in at least two defined inserted positions, which at least two positions are symmetric relative to one another and lead to the same electrical connection of the two electrical modules.
 28. The transmitter housing of claims 25, wherein: a first printed circuit board with the first module arranged thereon is disposed in the electronics compartment and a second printed circuit board with the second module arranged thereon is disposed in the connection space, included on each of the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board are spring contact pins, and the connecting element is configured to press with its contact areas on the spring contact pins, when inserted into the window, such that: the end sections of the at least two conductor elements surrounded by the first insulating body end segment are electrically contacted by the spring contact pins arranged on the first printed circuit board, and the end sections of the at least two conductor elements surrounded by the second insulating body end segment are electrically contacted by the spring contact pins arranged on the second printed circuit board.
 29. The transmitter housing of claim 25, wherein the insulating body passageways each have a depth configured such that the spring contact pins extend substantially into the end regions of the insulating body end segments.
 30. A method for manufacturing a connecting element, wherein the connecting element comprises: at least two substantially rod-shaped metal conductor elements, each with two opposing end sections, the conductor elements arranged at a defined separation relative to one another; and a multi-membered insulating body surrounding the conductor elements and electrically insulating them from one another, the multi-membered insulating body including two insulating body end segments of at least a first synthetic material and an insulating body intermediate segment of a second synthetic material different from the first synthetic material, wherein the intermediate segment is arranged in a longitudinal direction of the insulating body between the end segments, wherein the insulating body further includes passageways formed through end regions of the end segments of the insulating body such that contact areas on respective end sections of the at least two conductor elements are electrically contactable via the passageways, and wherein the first synthetic material has a modulus of elasticity that is greater than a modulus of elasticity of the second synthetic material, the method comprising: prefabricating the conductor elements; and embedding the conductor elements in the insulating body using at least one injection molding process.
 31. The method as claimed in claim 30, wherein the at least one injection molding process includes: a first injection molding process in which the two insulating body end segments are injection molded around the conductor elements; and a second injection molding process in which the insulating body intermediate segment is injection molded around the conductor elements after the first injection molding process. 